Conference Workshops

Talk the Talk: My Go-To Keys for Structured Organizing Conversations and Communications with Angela Drew Kimelman

Whether it’s setting the stage with a solid structure, keeping things clear and punchy, or reading the room like a pro — these are the tools I use to turn my PowerPoint slides into stories and ideas into impact.

Communicating through an organizing lens is much like sales. You are “selling” the union life and the benefits a union could bring into someone’s life.

It’s all about connection, flow, and a little flair to keep the workers tuned in and turned up to what you are sharing. You want to make an impact so workers can stand in their own power and share alongside you.

Member-to-Member Conversations are the Solution to Enshittification with Ethan Clarke

Facebook is a ghost town, Twitter is a neo-facist hellscape, email doesn’t get the response it once did, and if you send text messages to members, they swear at you. How are we supposed to get the word out in this new digital age?  It’s time to build our capacity to communicate with members… and build the union’s strength!

This interactive workshop will explore what a member-to-member communication network can look like and how to build one for your union, using real-world examples from the postal workers, the Ontario education workers, and Starbucks United.

Digitally Different: Using Alternative Communication Tools in a Toxic Digital World with Jason Alward

In an ever increasing landscape where content is king and certain actors control our digital data and tools, we look at how we got here and how we can think differently when it comes to what we use to communicate.

Introduction to Interviewing Techniques with Rhea Rollman

Interviewing skills are vital for both reporters and labour activists. Whether you’re a journalist covering a story or a shop steward preparing to file a grievance, the effectiveness of your work will hinge heavily on your ability to conduct meaningful and substantive interviews. But what does that mean and how do you go about it? This workshop offers an introduction to interviewing techniques, exploring not just the mechanics of the process but also how to conduct respectful, sensitive and trauma-informed interviews.

Running Engaging Online Meetings & Webinars with Carl Mavromichalis

Learn how to effectively run online meetings and webinars for any group size, from small locals to large sectors. Whether you’re planning a lunch-and-learn, seminar, or AGM, this workshop will teach you how to set up and manage remote meetings with ease—from the comfort of your own couch. Gain practical tips on organizing, hosting, and increasing member engagement in virtual spaces, ensuring your online meetings are just as impactful as in-person ones.

Lobbying Tips from a Pro with Michele Girash

Learn how to effectively run online meetings and webinars for any group size, from small locals to large sectors. Whether you’re planning a lunch-and-learn, seminar, or AGM, this workshop will teach you how to set up and manage remote meetings with ease—from the comfort of your own couch. Gain practical tips on organizing, hosting, and increasing member engagement in virtual spaces, ensuring your online meetings are just as impactful as in-person ones.

Light, Streets, and Stories: Capturing Downtown St. John’s with Ritche Perez

Join local photographer Ritche Perez for a casual and creative photo walk through downtown St. John’s. Discover hidden gems, iconic views, and the stories that unfold on the streets while picking up tips and insights on street photography along the way. Bring your camera and wear comfy shoes!

Punchlines with a Purpose: Stand-Up Comedy for Union Communicators with Josh Menchions

Discover how the art of stand-up comedy can sharpen your communication skills and captivate an audience. In this fun and interactive workshop, delegates will explore timing, joke structure, constructing your set, and storytelling—tools that can translate directly into more dynamic speeches, videos, and campaigns. This session will help you find your voice, own the stage, and maybe even land a few laughs while you’re at it.

The Ins and Outs of Podcasting with Nora Loreto

Always wanted to start a podcast but never knew how to do it? Or does your union have a podcast but the sound quality is yeeessshh and the topics are a bit yaaarrg? In this workshop, Nora Loreto will go through both the technical and content sides of podcasting — from how to make your sound sound as good as possible, to how to map out a season of episodes — all for as little money as possible.

Memes of Production with Alexander Delorme

What are memes? They are more than funny cat pictures; they are the modern mechanisms by which we spread and strengthen ideas and beliefs. Join this workshop to learn how you can use memes to build solidarity in your union.

Photography Workflow and Digital Asset Management (DAM) with Chris Noto

Dam! You’ve just shot 1,000 photos at an event, now what? This workshop will go over the steps of reviewing, selecting, and organizing your images efficiently. Learn how to quickly identify the best shots for immediate use on social media, while archiving the rest for future projects like magazines or advertising campaigns. We’ll focus on using Adobe Bridge for importing and culling, but the concepts can be applied to Adobe Lightroom or similar software. We’ll also cover ideas for managing your smartphone media, so all your assets stay organized and accessible. Perfect for communications staffers who have a growing pile of photos clogging up their computers and servers.

You’ve Walked the Line, Now Learn to Cut the Line: A Hands-On Workshop in Linocut Carving for Social Change with Laura O’Brien

No budget? No problem! Join us for a hands-on crash course in linocut carving, an easy, low-cost way to make bold prints with big impact. You’ll learn to carve, ink, and press your own designs using nothing but a block, a blade, and your imagination. Got an old shirt, tote, or jacket collecting dust? Bring it! This is your chance to revive it with rebel messages and radical flair. Whether you’re a seasoned activist or a curious beginner, come get crafty, get loud, and leave your mark.

Reel Change: Mobilizing the Labour Movement with Smartphone Videography with Anna Jover

Learn the basics on how to plan, shoot, and edit powerful videos using just your smartphone. This hands-on seminar is designed for union communicators and activists who want to tell compelling stories, amplify campaigns, and connect with members online. From quick filming tips to editing tricks using CapCut, you’ll leave with practical skills to make your message stand out on social media.